Issue 22, 2014

Flux-assisted synthesis of SnNb2O6 for tuning photocatalytic properties

Abstract

A flux-assisted method was used to synthesize SnNb2O6 as a visible-light-responsive metal oxide photocatalyst. The role of flux was investigated in detail using different flux to reactant molar ratios (1 : 1, 3 : 1, 6 : 1, 10 : 1, and 14 : 1) and different reaction temperatures (300, 500, and 600 °C). The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET), and high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Flux-assisted synthesis led to tin niobate particles of platelet morphology with smooth surfaces. The synthesized crystal showed a 2D anisotropic growth along the (600) plane as the flux ratio increased. The particles synthesized with a high reactant to flux ratio (1 : 10 or higher) exhibited slightly improved photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution from an aqueous methanol solution under visible radiation (λ > 420 nm). The photo-deposition of platinum and PbO2 was examined to gain a better understanding of electrons and hole migration pathways in these layered materials. The HR-STEM observation revealed that no preferential deposition of these nanoparticles was observed depending on the surface facets of SnNb2O6.

Graphical abstract: Flux-assisted synthesis of SnNb2O6 for tuning photocatalytic properties

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
13 Feb 2014
Accepted
02 Apr 2014
First published
03 Apr 2014

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014,16, 10762-10769

Author version available

Flux-assisted synthesis of SnNb2O6 for tuning photocatalytic properties

D. Noureldine, D. H. Anjum and K. Takanabe, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 10762 DOI: 10.1039/C4CP00654B

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